1. Early Childhood Education degree from your local community college.
It may seem expensive to go back to school, but if you go through a community college, it is actually quite affordable. You can apply for all kinds of scholarships and grants to help you get through school. My Federal Pell Grant pays for almost all of my classes and book by itself. I also was able to work full time as a nanny while going to school, because community college offers so many classes during the day, it is easy to fit class in around your schedule.
2. CPR/First Aid.
Actually, most families will not hire you if you do not have this certification. I did my certification through the Red Cross. You can find links to classes here: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/adult-and-pediatric-first-aid%2Fcpr%2Faed/cours000000000049031.html
3. Get letters of recommendation from past employers.
Make sure that each letter has the email address and phone number so that when parents ask for references, you have them available. Every job I want to apply to, I take an introductory packet that I made for myself that includes my cover letter (basically just background info on yourself), my resume (https://resumegenius.com/resume-samples/nanny-resume-example), 3 letters of recommendation from past employers, CPR/First Aid Certificate, and a list of structured activities that I do with the kids during the day.
4. Learn another language.
This is crucial in big cities, you don't have to become fluent, but in big cities, your probability of getting hired is much higher if you speak other languages. Learn the basic words of the language- think kids first words, numbers, body parts, shapes, etc. There are many useful apps like Duolingo and my personal favorite, Memrise, that can help you learn the basic vocabulary rather quickly.
5. Don't forget to start small.
If you have little to no childcare experience, you aren't just going to step into a position with competitive pay. Take on a summer job at a lower rate to get your foot in the door. I personally started nannying by finding jobs through Care.com. Make sure you have reviews of yourself, do the background checks, etc. This will all boost your pay in the long run. You can also search to see if there are any nanny agencies in the area, as they can be very helpful when job hunting. In Iowa, the best nanny agency is Iowa Elite Nannies.
6. Be professional.
This includes a lot of steps. Clean up your online image. Don't allow people to tag you in things without your permission, and be intentional about the things you decide to post and share. When you go to an interview, be professional, dress nice, but not over the top. If possible, don't wear makeup, have expensive nail painting, crazy hair colors, etc. Parents want someone who looks young, energetic, and who isn't afraid to get down on the floor and play with their littles.
7. Be active.
Show parents that you are going to do activities with their kids. Little to no electronic time. Plan activities in advance so the kids rave about you. If the kids love you, the parents will be more likely to give you a raise. Also, help out with things outside of your general job description. Anticipate what the family needs.
8. Take Classes.
Take one-time classes that you can tell the parents you have done. For example, classes on yoga, lectures on child development, nutrition classes, newborn care classes etc. A knowledge of positive role model skills are all things you can use to boast about yourself to the parents.
9. Communication.
Lay down the foundations during your interview. Schedule weekly meetings to discuss a child's growth and development (You can keep track of these things on the CDC developmental milestones charts). Also schedule quarterly reviews to check in and see if the family is still comfortable with the progress their child is making, or if they want you to work on things another way. Make sure you also talk about how to address each behavioral issue that presents itself, and make sure you are on the same page for discipline.
10. Read parenting books.
There are tons of free books in the library that you can check out. You can never know too much about children. I have been a nanny for 5 years, and each child I nanny is extraordinarily different from the others. Knowing different types of parenting approaches, you can adjust your style to what each parent wants, or combine the things you love from each style, and combine them.
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